.FM File Extension

FM files exist as 3 different types. Please find information about each of them below.

Type 1: FrameMaker Document

General Information

Title FM File Extension
Extension .fm
Full Form FrameMaker Document
File Type Document File
Developer Adobe Systems
MIME Type application/vnd.framemaker

File Function

Primary Function Document creation
Additional Functions Desktop publishing, Technical documentation
Features Formatted text, Graphics, Tables

File Characteristics

Quality High
Supports Layers Yes
Supports Transparency No
Editable Yes

Use Cases

Technical Writing Yes
Corporate Documentation Yes
Publishing Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks Macros, Scripts
Best Practices Regular updates, File validation

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release 1986
Latest Version FrameMaker 2020

Associated Types

Similar Extensions .book, .mif, .fm7, .fm8, .fm9

Software Compatibility

Software Usage Policy OS Compatibility
Adobe FrameMaker Paid Windows

Type 2: FileMaker Database

Files with .fm extension are databases saved using FileMaker Pro. It is a relational database management system. Old .fm files need conversion to new .fmp12 format. Only .fmp12 files can be hosted on ...

General Information

Title FM File Extension
Extension .fm
Full Form FileMaker Database File
File Type Database File
Developer Claris International Inc.
MIME Type application/x-filemaker

File Function

Primary Function Store data
Additional Functions Manage records, Script execution
Features Layouts, Scripts, Calculations

File Characteristics

Quality Highly structured
Supports Layers N/A
Supports Transparency N/A
Editable Yes

Use Cases

Data Management Yes
Business Solutions Yes
Custom Apps Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks Unauthorized access
Best Practices Access control, Encryption

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release 1985
Latest Version FileMaker Pro 19.5.2 (2022)

Associated Types

Similar Extensions .fmp12, .fp7, .fp5, .fp3

Software Compatibility

Software Usage Policy OS Compatibility
FileMaker Pro Paid Windows, Mac
FileMaker Go Free iOS
FileMaker Server Paid Windows Server, macOS Server

Type 3: FeatureCAM Part

General Information

Title FM File Extension
Extension .fm
Full Form FeatureCAM Part File
File Type CAD/CAM File
Developer Autodesk
MIME Type application/octet-stream

File Function

Primary Function Store CAD data
Additional Functions 3D modeling, CAM operations
Features 3D design data, Toolpaths

File Characteristics

Quality High precision
Supports Layers Yes
Supports Transparency NA
Editable Yes

Use Cases

Manufacturing Yes
Prototyping Yes
Machining Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks Uncommon
Best Practices Regular backups, Version control

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release Early 2000s
Latest Version Depends on FeatureCAM version

Associated Types

Similar Extensions .dwg, .dxf, .step, .iges

Software Compatibility

Software Usage Policy OS Compatibility
Autodesk FeatureCAM Subscription Windows